Türkiye unblocks Sweden NATO bid, setting stage for summit

Türkiye agreed on July 10 to allow Sweden to join NATO, setting the stage for the allies to showcase their unity at a summit focused on supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's block on Sweden's membership bid had cast a cloud over preparations for Tuesday's meeting, but the countries ironed out their differences in 11th-hour talks in Vilnius.

"Completing Sweden's accession to NATO is an historic step that benefits the security of all NATO allies at this critical time. It makes us all stronger and safer," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he was "very happy" and hailed "a good day for Sweden".

Sweden's bid must still be approved by the Turkish parliament, and Erdoğan has agreed to push for its ratification.

Hungary is also yet to greenlight Stockholm's bid, but Prime Minister Viktor Orban has signalled he will follow Erdoğan's lead.

U.S. President Joe Biden, also in Vilnius for the summit, thanked Stoltenberg and said: "I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as our 32nd NATO ally."

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also welcomed the "good news" on Twitter.

Erdoğan upped the stakes, demanding that the European Union revive Türkiye's stalled EU membership bid as a precondition for Sweden joining NATO.

In a statement after the three-way talks between Erdoğan, Kristersson and Stoltenberg, Sweden vowed to boost bilateral trade and anti-terrorism coordination.

"Sweden will actively support efforts to reinvigorate Turkiye's EU accession process, including modernisation of the EU-Turkiye Customs Union and visa liberalisation," the statement said.

That agreement...